What is the I-CAN?

The I-CAN is a support needs assessment, planning and resource allocation tool designed to assess and guide support delivery for people with disabilities including people with mental health concerns.

It provides a support services and family friendly holistic assessment conceptually based upon the internationally recognized WHO ICF framework. Support services can use the I-CAN for an independent costing estimate (assisting the transition to the NDIS), and to ensure quality services, integrated with health care plans and individual or person-centred plans. Families can use the I-CAN when applying to the NDIS and to coordinate and liase with support and health professionals. Government bodies can use the I-CAN to allocate resources and predict future costs. An individual support needs report is generated online which helps guide service delivery and planning and has many potential applications.

Intake and discharge for people with acquired disabilities such as brain injury or quadriplegia

Community support for people with intellectual disabilities

Supported living for people with mental health concerns

Planning for the move to community living for people leaving congregate settings

Assessment and classification of disability

Support expert evidence at legal hearings

The award-winning I-CAN has been under continuous research and development since 1998 by a team of internationally recognised researchers primarily from the University of Sydney. The I-CAN has been published in international journals, and presented at leading conferences worldwide.

Why use the I-CAN?

The I-CAN comprehensively assesses, describes and monitors an individual's support needs. Records are accurate regardless of staff turnover and improve quality outcomes. The I-CAN unites person-centred and strengths-based principles, by allowing the individual to direct their own assessment, in collaboration with their circle of support. This gives voice to their support needs, as opposed to assessments directed by professionals.

The I-CAN is at the forefront of best practice in support needs assessment, reflecting current paradigms. Easy to use on or offline, training is provided in both administration and the philosophy of support and empowerment.

Provide a comprehensive intake assessment or discharge report

Monitor support needs, outcomes and skill levels

Inform service delivery decision making and predict possible changing needs

Link together and streamline existing assessment and service delivery processes

Provide an adjunct to psychological testing

Profile supports and provide a basis for training or educative programs

Improve communication with and between health, mental health and disability professionals

Assist with funding applications

Secure record keeping with additional privacy levels for sensitive information

The I-CAN also has the potential to be developed much further and some of our proposed upgrades and future projects are described here.

How do I join in?

Certified Facilitators can login here. If you are interested in finding out more or want to make use of the I-CAN please contact us.